BEDG Tuning?

[Cal03]

That jump between the E and D string right in the middle would throw me off too much. I've tried the equivalent of BADG (OK, it was actually F#EDGA ), and it makes a little more sense since that huge jump is relegated to one end of the instrument. But I like the consistency of symmetric tunings, so if I really needed an open low B on a 4-string, it would have to be BEAD (or also fifths tuning with BF#C#G#).

I haven't actually tried BEAD on my 4-string before. I think I could live without the G, but I already have a fiver that I'm comfortable with, so...

-Cal.

 

[DRay521]

Look for a used Yamaha BB5000. I’ve seen them recently between $1500-2000. It’s essentially a 4-string neck that they crammed a 5th string onto. The string spacing is crazy tight, something like 15mm IIRC, but you get full range and familiar muscle memory without a wide neck. Seems like it would be easier to adjust to a tighter spacing than an odd tuning. Not to mention those are just killer basses.

Good luck, hope you find a solution!

 

[thewildest]

What about BEDG tuning? Dedicate 2 strings to the lows and 2 to the highs. I've not though through it but I bet fingering would be tough to adjust to.

I think it is a very interesting and innovative idea.
I’d consider, mixed with the 5th suggestion, to also try BF#DA. This would deliver more chord options since BEDG would have the E and D too close tone-wise. Just a thought

 

[bassb66]

According to PDbass, the late great Robert Wilson tuned his P-bass BEDG.

Thanks Doc!

 

[svlilioukalani]

I have had basses tuned BEAD in the past. It works quite well if that’s what your after. I always kept basses tuned that way as a second bass on a gig.

Biggest issue tuning your bass that way is you will probably has to have the nut cut to fit the strings. Even is you go super light with a 120 gage B. And light strings sound fine.

You done need to worry about the missing G string if ya learn your scales, and know your way up the neck.

 

[Les Fret]

Get a Digitech Drop pedal. Then you can keep the standard tuning and have the BEAD tuning when you engage the pedal.

OP: what exactly is it about a five string that makes your hand hurt? A five string is not much harder to play in my opinion. Is it your left or right hand that’s causing the problem?

 

[sabre79]

Question: If you want to string a 4, BEAD, do you buy a 5 string set or do you use a 4 string set with a fatter gauge? I would love to turn one of my TMB30's into BEAD.

 

[fakeneckplate'65]

I just dedicated a 35" scale length 4 string Peavey Millennium to B - E - A - D tuning, & there's been a slight learning curve to adapt songs I know on a standard tuned bass. I can't imagine deviating from perfect 4th intervals. That's more fun than I care to have.

 

[5StringBlues]

I'm just going to stop tuning all together.

 

[Fernando Costa]

Okay, think about 5 string. I don't really like the solution, the tone, I have two, I use it, but I don't like it very much. If you use EADG you lose 5 lows semitones, if you use BEAD you lose 5 high semitones, that is, it's always only 5 semitones... It's not much. I built two identical Frank P-bass, one EADG and one BEAD.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

If a 5 string isn't an option, but you want the range of a 5 string in a 4, just get a Hipshot and tune the extender to C. That covers 80% of the notes you'd get with the B, and functionally probably covers 95% of the notes you'd actually play. Unless you just ride the open B note.

It's not that hard to figure out how to use.

 

[Drzejzi]

BEDG would be too weird for me, but I recommend trying something like DGDG. You get 2 extra low notes, you can easily play octaves, also with hammer-ons and pull-offs on multiple strings, you can easily play power chords on the 3 high strings and the 2 high strings tuned DG allow you to play simple 2-note chords exactly like in a standard bass.

 

[Katoosie]

So, kinda in the same vein but a bit different - I own a 4 string and wanted some lower notes. Tried thinking about drop C or drop D but I didn't want to have to deal with that floppiness of that single string while the rest remained your usual ADG.

Enter - standard C

C F A# D#

Adjust the action and truss rod for that tuning to your liking and you don't even need to get a new nut made to fit thicker strings, you can keep your strings.

You get the same fingerings as EADG, you just go two whole steps lower so you get more low notes, lose some upper register ones but who cares on a bass.

The only "issue" is that the notes go slightly flat or sharp every few days but you should tune up before every play session anyway, and if that brothers you just get a new nut and some thicker strings.

It works for me and sounds super cool.

 

[Egg250]

Why not just play in standard tuning and invest in a good quality octave-down effect? You can access that low D, C, B, or even lower (with a very specialized setup of course) without having to completely redesign your entire instrument (nut, bridge, tension, etc.) and learn a new fingering that will cause a major additional step to transcribing just about anything you want to learn.

Even with a pretty standard 2x12" rig and a mini-POG or Line-6 pedal I get great tone down to low C and I don't have to change anything in my setup. If I was spending a lot of time in that register I could easily adjust my signal chain and speaker rig to better accommodate hanging out in the swampy low end.

My amp head, Peavey Tour 700, has an octave effect but it isn't very useful. There is a significant delay playing the lower notes and quite a bit of distortion. I tried an MXR pedal but the octave effect was actually out of tune. Very disappointing. I don't really "want" a 5 string. I have considered an alternate tuning. Still considering...

 

[nnnnnn]

Nothing against a five. They just add more co$t and weight.

I own two fives and two fours. The heaviest is a five. The lightest is - you guessed it - the other five.

 

[micguy]

I'm just going to stop tuning all together.

I’d admire your approach even more if you were on a fretless. If you’re gonna choose anarchy, go all the way.

 

[el murdoque]

BEDG would throw me so far off, I'd need a bedroll and tent for the hike back.
And when I'm back, BEAD or EADG are not an option any more (wihout taking that hike again).
When you play originals where you compose the basslines on a bass tuned BEDG, that could be an option - I don't see the benefit, though. You gain five higher notes and a skinny string, but you loose the consistency in the middle.

 

[N4860]

I like to set up multiple basses with different tunings. I have some 4 string in standard EADG, a couple 5 strings in BEADG, and a 4 string in DGCF.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

I find the 5ths tuning starting at C is great, but you'll need to adjust your string gauges.
You could just drop it all a half step to B if you like. Barred 5ths are a lot of fun.

 

[jamesblue]

I've been using BEAD for over 5 years. Really depends on the music / songs your're playing. Out of about 60 songs I do, there are only about 5 where I needed to find an upper register position to get the notes right. For people that have trouble/comfort issues with a 5 string (like I do) the 4 string BEAD is great. I've only had one song I've had to decline in doing due to the BEAD, a Breaking Benjamin song that was is an even lower tuning I think).

Like anything, it's takes a little pratice an muscle memory to get used to this tuning. I still sometimes think the B is the E.

The BEAD is also a thicker sound as well (Bryan Beller confrims this in one of his instruction vids, he used a de-tuned speciall Mike Lull Bass for the Dethklock stuff, and said 4 stings have a fuller sound than 5 strings likely due to physics of the neck).

Get a squire bass and have the Nut adjusted for the heaver gague strings ( recommend no smaller than a 125 for the low B, DR sells a 4 string Drop Tuning set with a 125)